Conveying mechanism for can washers



June 9, 1925. 1,540,820

T. L. VALERIUS ET AL CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR CAN WASHERS Filed June 50, 1919 6 s t -s t 1 June 9, 1925. 1,540,820

T. L. VALERIUS ET AL CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR CAN WASHERS Filed June 30, 1919 6 t t 2 72 6 @Z CZ ZZQ 1 June 9, 1925. 1,540,820

7 T. L. VALERIUS ET AL CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR CAN WASHERS Filed June 50,1919 6 s t s @MMM June 9, 1925. Y 1,540,820

T. L. VALERIUS ET AL CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR CAN WASHERS Filed June 30, 1919 6 s t -sh t 4 I la 5 F? i t: 5:; Ii 5 4 MM 044M011 fili 5517 5 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 30, 1919 uoooo T. L. VALER IUS ET AL CONVEYING MECHANISMFOR CAN WASHERS June 9, 1925.

June 9, 1925.

DISCHARGE END 1,540,820 T. L. VALERIUS ET AL CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR CAN WASHERS RECEIVING" END Filed Julie 50, 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet s mm mm 6 Patentedlune. 9,

PATENT" OFFICE.

THEODORE L. VALEBIUS AND OLA! CORPOBA'IFON OF ILLINOIS.

LARSEN, or roar arx'mson, wrsconsm, Assrenons 'ro um (mummy mono]: use. oourm, or

cmoaeo, rumors, a

convnme mnonamsu m can wnsnnns. v

' Application filed June so, 191a. Serial in). 307,021.

To all whom. it may comem:

Be it known that we, THEODORE L. VALE- mus and OLAF LARSEN, citizens of the United .States,, residing at Fort Atkinson, in the county of Jefferson and State of Wisconsin,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveyin 'Mechanism' for' Can Washers, of which tie following is a specification.

This invention relates to the art of cleaning milk cans and the like, and the covers therefor; and the general object of the 1nvention is to cleanse the cans and covers thoroughly with a minimum amount of hand labor and at a considerable rate, of speed. It is also an object of the invention to dry the cans and covers after they have been washed, rinsed and sterilized.

While the invention is herein shown as embodied in a machine for the well known type used for the shipment of milk and cream, it will be understood that the invention may be applicable to the handling of other large metallic containers.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodying the features of our invention the front cover being removed. Fig. 2 is a fragmental top plan view of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the receiving end of the apparatus. Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectional view of the can-forwarding device, the view being taken in the plane of dotted line 4- of Fig: 5. Fig. 5 is a fragmental plan view of the can-forwarding device. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken in the plane of dotted line 6-6 of Fig. 1, the hinged door between the washing compartment and the rinsing and steam compartment being par tially broken away. Fig. 7 is a view taken in the plane of line 7 of Fig. 2, showing the inverter. Fig. 8 is a front view of the inverter. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section taken in the plane of line 9-9 of Fig.

1, the door that closes the exit from the rinsing and steam compartment being partially treating cans of ing detached covers, the view being divided mto two portions on account of limitations of space. Fig. is a vertical transverse sectional view taken in the plane'of line 15-'15 of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is an elevation of the receiving end of the cover-forwarding device, and Fig. 17 is a section on line 17-17 of Fig. 14. vFig. 18 (Sheet 3) is a top plan view of the receiving end of the machine, showing a can-controlled means for rinsing the cans with cold water.

The embodiment herein shown of the invention comprises a tank to contain a hot cleansing solution, a pump to draw the solu tion from said tank and deliver it to a jet head located above the tank, a tank containing clean hot rinsing water, a. pump to draw water from the last mentioned tank and deliver it to a jet head located above the tank, a steam jet, a plurality of hot'air jets, a can. inverter, tracks extending above said jets, and means for moving the cans and covers upon said tracks into position above the various jets in succession. The tracks lead to the inverter where the sterilized and dried cans are inverted for inspection and removal.

While any suitable form of supporting framework and tank may be employed, there is herein shown a rigid framework comprising an elongated tank 1 divided by a partition 2 so as to provide a solution tank 3 and a rinsing tank 4. The tank 1 is supported upon legs 5.' Brackets or bars 6 (Figs. 6 and 9) extend transversely of the tank 1. Upon the brackets 6 are mounted brackets 7. Each bracket 7 is in the form of a partition having openings therein of suitable size and shape to accommodate the articles being treated, the tracks on which said articles travel, and the devices for moving the articles. Upon the brackets 7 is mounted a deck frame 8. The parts just described are rigidly secured together and constitute a supporting framework for the tracks, the article-forwarding devices and other parts of the apparatus.

The front of the apparatus, i. e., the space between the tank 1 and the deck frame 8, is closed by a removable cover (not shown). The rear side of said space is closed by'a wall 8 (Fig. 12). One of the partitions 7 is located approximately in the vertical plane of the partition 2, and thereby serves ing into the tank 4. If desired, a door 7 may be hinged to each partition 7 to close the o ning through which the cans travel, said oor being arranged to be swung aside by a can passin through the opening, and being returned y gravity to normal position.

It will be seen that the s ace bounded by the tank 1, the front cover, t e deck frame 8, and the rear wall 8 is divided by the, middle partition 7 into a washing compartment and a rinsing and steaming compartment.

Each of the tanks 3 and 4 is provided with an overflow 9 (Figs. 6 and 9).

A pump 10 is arran ed to draw the solution from the tank 3 t rough a pipe 11 and discharge the liquid through 9. pi e 12 which carries a jet head 13. The hea 13 is provided with openings 14 (Fig. 2) throu h which the solution is discharged into the cans A traveling above the jet head, and is also provided with openings 15 arranged to discharge the solution into can covers B traveling past the jet head.

A pump 16 is arranged to draw hot water i from the tank 4 through a pipe 17 and discharge the water through a pipe 18 that carries a jet head 19 which is similar to the jet head 13. The pumps 10 and 16 are continuously driven by any suitable means. The jet heads 13 and 19 thus operate continuously. When cans and covers are not opposite the orifices of the jet heads 13 and 19, the jets are projected against the deck frame and the removable front cover, whence the liquid is deflected in all directions, thus cleaning the cans and covers externally. In addition thereto, we provide two spray pipes 12 and 18 (Fig. 1) connected to pipes 12" and 18*, respectively, which in turn are connected to the pipes 12 and 18, respectively, the pipes 12* and 18" being located at one side of the path of the cans and covers and being perforated at the side toward the cans and covers so as to spray washing solution and rinsing water, respectively upon the cans and covers.

Any suitable means may be provided for supplyin Water to the tanks 3 and 4 and for heating the contents of said tanks.

The cans are passed through the machine in an inverted position so that the liquids discharged into the cans shall drain into the tanks 3 and 4. The cans are inclined at such an angle that but little water shall accumulate upon the depressed'bottoms of the cans, and thus reduce the amount of mouths of the cans bear.

solution which is transferred to the tank 4.

The means for supporting the cans in their passage through the machine comprises a bar 20 against which the can bodies rest, and two bars 21 against which. the

secured to the brackets 7 and form a track These bars are upon which the cans may be advanced through the machine. 22 is a stop her extending along the path of movement of the cans.

Covers which are connected to their respective cans by a link 0 (Fi 6.) travel t rough the machine upon a trac consisting of bars 23 and 24. 25 are bars located in position to prevent displacement of the covers. The ars 23, 24 and 25 form a channel through which the covers .travel in an inclined osition, the angle of inclination being suc that no water will accumulate in the covers.

The bars 20 to 25, inclusive, extend from a point sufiiciently forward of the compartment 3 so that cans and covers may be placed thereon.

After passing the rinsing jet head 19 the cans pass a means for supplying steam to the cans, as, for example, a pipe 26 (Figs. 1 and 9), said pipe being arranged to discharge steam into the cans and being connected to a suitable steam sup ly. The pipe 26 may have a branch 26' (Fig. 9) to dischar e steam, into the covers.

A r passing the steam jets 26 and 26" the cans and covers travel over. a dr ing means. In the present embodiment o the invention, said drying means com rises an insulated casing 27 (Figs. 10 an 11) located beneath the track' for the cans, said casing containing steam coils 28. Air is supplied to the casing 27 by any suitable means, as for example, a blower 29 (Fig. 2), the discharge of said blower being connected to a conduit 30 which communicates with the lower part of the casing 27. The casing contains bafiie plates 31 (Fig. 11) arranged so. as to compel a circuitous flow of air through the casing. Upon the up er walls of the casing are mounted a suita le number of nipples 32 arranged to discharge hot air into the cans. three such nipples placed along the path of travel of the cans. '32 are openings to'discharge hot air against the covers.

If desired, the steam coils 28 may charge steam and water of condensation through the pipe 26, that being the arrangement herein shown.

After the cans have passed the drier, they are received in an inverter 33. The form of inverter selected for illustration comprises a base 34 supported upon a pedestal 35, and two walls 36 and 37 mounted on the base 34. The wall 36 extends transversely of and rearwardly from the can track. The bar 20 terminates at the wall 36. The bars 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 continue past the wall 36a distance somewhat greater than the diameter of a can, the bars 21 and 22 being secured to an end guard or stop wall 38 extending transversel of the can track. In the space between t e verti- Herein are shown dis the forward ends cal lanes of the walls 36 and 38 is a shelf 39 Fig. 7) the forward end of which is pivotally supported at 40. The shelf 39 is supported upon a buffer consisting of a cross-bar 41 attached to two rods or bolts. 7

42 which are vertically slidable in openings in a flange 43 on the base 34. pansion springs 44 surround the rods 42 between the flange 43 and the cross-bar 41.

e normal position of the buffer is determined by nuts 45 on the ends of the rods 42 below the flange 43.

46 is a curved plate Secured to the shelf 39 at the side towardthe guard wall 38. This plate, however, is not essential.

Upon the base 3.4 is a horizontal series of rollers 47 (Fig. 2) which iscontinued in an inclined roller-runway 48. As shown in Fig. 7, the shelf 39 is above the plane of the roller bed 47. The shelf is shorter than the cans.

When a can is moved beyond the end of the bar 20, it topples over rearwardly onto the shelf 39 and rights itself, the can fulcruming on the rear edge of the shelf and coming to rest with its lower end standing on the rollers 47 between the wall'37 and the rear edge of the shelf v39.

The means for moving the cans and covers through the machine comprises two parallel slide guide guides 51 formed upon the brackets 7. The slide bar is mounted to slide upon surfaces 52 on the brackets 7. The bar 50 is connected to the bar 49' by means of pivoted links 53. To the of said dogs being made concave upon opposite sides to conform in a general way to the cylindrical bodies of the cans. The dogs 54 are spaced apart so that a single can may lie in the space between two adjacent dogs. I

The means for reciprocating the bars 49 and 50 comprises a bracket 55 (Fig. 5) secured to the slide bar 50 and arranged to engage a stop 56 on the slide bar 49 when the links 53 are at right angles to the bars 49 and 50 (see Fig. 13). A connecting rod 57 is pivoted'at one end. to the bracket 55 and at its opposite end to one arm of alever 58 (Fig. 1) which is pivotally mounted at 59 upon the deck frame 8. The other arm of the lever 58 is connected by means of a connecting rod 60 to a wrist pin upon a spur gear wheel 61. The gear wheel 61 is fixed upon a shaft 62 which is mounted in bearings on two brackets or standards 63 fixed to the deck frame 8. The gear wheel 61 meshes witha inion 64 which is fixed upon a shaft 65 Fig. 2) carried by the standards 63. On the shaft 65 are fixed two spur gear wheels 66 and 67 which may be of different diameters, said gear wheels meshing, respectively, with pinions 68 and Exbl moves, but after the bars 49 and 50. The bar 49 is mounted for rectilinear reciprocation in bar 50 are fixed dogs 54,

and front- 69 which are loose 0.. shaft 70 carried by the standards 63. On the shaft 70 is a slidable clutch member. 71 adapted to clutch either of thepinions 0. Any ordinary means may be provided for shift-mg the clutch member. 71. Suitae means, including a pulley 72 gearing 73, is shaft 70. t Y Referring to Figs. .5 and 13: By reason -ofthe link connection between the slidin)" bars 49 and 50, the bar and endwise movement with a row of cans rest-in upon the bars 20, 21 and 22, the row 0 cans being ad vanced one step wisemovement of the bar 50. I At the beginning of the feed stroke, the bar 50 alone H to bar '50 has 'mggelillgatera y in can-en a 1 sitiont ars slide by reason of tfie c nitzct of the bracket 55 with the stop 56. When the movementof the bar 50 is reversed, it moves lat- 50 has a latera Into engagement and spiral provided for driving "the in such lateral and end-' 68 and 69 to the shaft 70 erally on theguide surfaces 52, thus car-.

rying the'dogs 54 away from the cans, after which the continuing movement of the bar 50causes the bar 49 also to slide by reason of the link connections between the slide bars. The pathsofmovementof the dogs 54 are indicated by dotted lines min Fi 55. Preferably, the bar 50 moves laterally Just far enough to lift the cans out of contact with the bar 20 so that the cans shall not slide in contact with said bar 20. Y

The jet heads'13 and 19 and the hot-air nipples 32 are continually active, but it is not desirable to allow the steam jets 26 and 26" to play except when a .can and a cover are in register steam jets. Therefore we provide a valve 74 (Figs. 1 and 13) in the steam supply pipe 74. This valve controls the supply. of steam to the coils 31' and the jets 26 and 26, said valve having a stem 75 that lies in the path of an arm '76 pivoted at 77 on the bar 49. A spring 78. normally holds the arm 76 out of position to strike the end of the stem 75. An arm 79which is rigid with the arm 76 projects into the path of movement of the cans so as to. be swung aside by a can which is being placed above the jet 26. In such movement of the arm 79, the arm 76 is swung into position to strike the end of! the valve stem 75, whereby the valve 74 is opened to admit steam to the 'coils 31 and the jets 26 and 26.

Means has been provided for cleaning covers B which are notattached to cans. This means comprises an elongated casing 81 (Fig. 6) supported in the rear portion of the machine by the brackets 7, and extending parallel with the path of travel of the cans. S1 is open for some distance along its upper sides to receive the covers. Thewith or passing the ing 81.

framework of the casing 81 includes an angle bar 82 (Fig. 15) which serves to support the upper rim of an endless chain 83 constituting a conveyer for the covers. Said. chain runs around sprocket wheels 84 and 85 located at opposite ends of the cas- (See Fig. 1.) The wheel 84 is fixed upon a shaft 86 on which is mounted a sprocket wheel 87 (Fig. 12). A'chain 88 runs over the sprocket wheel 87 and a sprocket wheel 89 fixed on a shaft 90 which is supported by the deck frame 8. The shaft 90 is driven from the shaft (32 by means of a chain 91 running over sprocket wheels on said shafts.

In the casing 81 are two guide bars 92 and 93 which cooperate with the rear wall of the casing to hold the covers in an approximately vertical plane. The chaln 83 supports the cylindrical portlons of the cov- As the covers travel through the casing 81 they are subjected to two jets of the cleansing solution. A pipe 94 (Fig. 1 2) is connected to the pipe 12 and supplies solution to two branch pipes 95 (Fig. 2) that communicate with the interior of the casing 81 through rearwardly directed ducts 96 (Fig. 14). It will be seen that the jets are delivered against the inner sides of the covers (i. e., the sides that fit against the cans) and that during the intervals between the passage of covers the jets strike the forward wall of the casing 81 and are deflected in all directions, thus thoroughly cleaning all sides of the covers. Vertical bafile plates 97 extend transversel of the casing 81 in front of the path of t e covers. These baffie plates serve to keep the jets that strike the front wall of the casing from splashing into the adjacent tank 3 or 4, and also serve to deflect the spray against the covers. The battle plates also act as supports for the guide bars 92 and 93.

After passing the solution jets 96, the covers are rinsed by means of jets of clean water discharged against the inner sides of the covers through rearwardly-directed ducts 98 (Fig.' 14). Water is supplied to the ducts 98 through pipes 99 and 100.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 9, the lower side of the casing 81 is open to permit water to drain into the tank 1.

After passing the rinsing jets 98, the

covers are sterilized by a steam jet 101 which is connected by means of a pipe 101 (Fig.

12) to the steamsupply pipe 74* at a point ahead of the valve 74-pso as t'obe in constant communication with' the source of supply except when the valve 102 is closed.

The discharge end of the casing 81 is open at its rear side, as shown in Figs. 12 and 15, in order that an operator stationed there may remove covers one by one and place them upon cans turned right side up by the inverter. As indicated in Fig. 14, the guide bar 92 is bent rearwardly so as to cause the covers to tilt rearwardly, the covers resting against a pipe 103 that extends along the casing. T 1e side of the pipe 103 toward the i covers has perforations 104 for the discharge of hot air'against the covers. The pipe 103 is connected to the upper portion of the casing 27 through a pipe 105.

The rear end of the casing 81 is closed by a bar 106.

The supply of cleanin solution to the jets 12 and 96 is controlle b valves 107 and 108 (Fig. 12). The supp y of rinse water to the jets 18 and 98 is controlled by valves 109 and 110. i

The steam and vapors may be conducted away from the apparatus by suitable piping gift shown) connected to theexhaust hood In operation, a workman places cans in inverted position upon the bars 20, 21 and 22 within reach of the forwarding bar 50. If the covers are linked to the cans, they rest uponthe bars 23 and 24. Loose covers are placed in the casing 81, through which they are advanced by the continuously moving chain 83. The rate of travel of the loose covers is approximately the same as that of the cans. A workman is stationedat the discharge end of the machine to place covers on the cans and start them down the roller chute 48'.

Referring to Fig. 18 (Sheet 3) For most eflicient results, the machine is placed near the milk-receiving station. As fast as the cans are emptied, they are placed upon the can track, where they have ample time to drain before entering the washing compartment. A drain table 112 set beneath the receiving end of the can track catches the milk that drains from the cans. cans pass from over the drain table they may be rinsed with cold water. Herein is shown a cold water jet 113 arranged to direct a stream of water into the can. Said 'et is controlled by a valve 114 which may e generally similar to the steam valve 74. The valve 114 is arranged to be opened by a can-controlled device 115 which is similar As the to the device 76, 79. Inasmuch as the jet 113 is outside the washing compartment, the rinsing water carries off most of the milk remaining on the inner surfaces of the can and prevents it from going into the washing solution. Y It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and construction herein shown, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

In apparatus for cleaning cans, conveying mechanism having, in combination,.

. track at the side toward track means to sup rt the mouthsof the cans, a guide exten ing parallel with said means against which the bodies of the cans. lean, said guide being somewhat shorter than said track means,ia shelf onto which the cans fall when advanced beyond the end of said guide, said shelf being shorter than a can, and a platform below the level of said shelf to receive the can as 1t fulcrums on the end of said shelf.

2. In ap veying mec anism having, track upon which cans may lean 1n mchned position with the mouths of the cans lowermost, a bar extending parallel with said 'means to engage the ines, said bar being located which the cans lean, and means for. actuating said bar to move the cans along thetrack.

3. In apparatus for cleaning canshaving covers attached thereto, conveying mechatrack and havin dividual can b nism having, in combination, a track to supveying mechanism having,

' and adjacent to the other track for port cans in an inclinedposition with the mouths of the cans lowermost, a track ex tending parallel with and adjacent to the other track for supporting the covers, and means for moving cans along the first mentioned track.

4. In apparatus for cleaning cans havlng covers attached thereto, conveying mechanism having, in combination, a track to support cans in an inclined position with the mouths of the cans lowermost, a track extending parallel with and adjacent .to the other track for supporting the covers, and can-moving means operating upon the individual cans to move. them along the first mentioned track.

5. In apparatus for cleaning cans, conin combination, a track to support a series of cans in an inclined position with the mouths of the cans lowermost, and means en aging the individual cans of the series or moving them along said track.

6. In an apparatus for cleaning cans, conveying mechanism having, in combination, a track to support a series of cans in inverted position, and means engaging the individual cans of the series or moving them along said. track, said means including a plurality of engaging members moving in a circuitous path and engaging said cans through a part of said path.

In an apparatus for cleaning cans having covers attached thereto, a track for'inverted cans, a track extending parallel with supporting the covers, and means engaging the cans for moving the cans and covers along said tracks. a

' 8. In an apparatus for cleaning cans, conveying mechanism-having, in combination, a track forming an under support and a aratus for cleaning cans, con- 1n combmatlon, a

lateralsupport for a series of cans in inclined position, a reciprocatory bar extending parallel with said track,- and a plurality 0 members mounted 'on 'said bar for engaging and moving said cans alon said track,-sa1d bar being movable lateral y into engagement withsaid cans to displace the cans from their lateral support on said track durin the movement thereof.

9. 'onveying mechanism having, in comb nation, a track for supportin a series of cans, a bar extending pa'ralle with said track and provided with members to engage the cans, and means to move said bar laterally into engagement with cans, then to move the bar longitudinally to advance the cans, then to move the bar laterally out of contact with. the cans, and then to move the bar longitudinally to the starting position.

10. A conveyor having, in combination, a track to support cans, a bar mounted to have a longitudinal rectilinear movement parallel with the track, a second slide bar having a parallel link connection with the first slide bar, devices on the second slide bar to engage the can bodies, two parts on said bars adapted for en agement with each other when the second ar has moved on itsparallel link connection away from the first bar. to a predetermined extent, and means engaging the second bar for sllding both bars.

11. A conveyor having, track to support cans in inclined inverted position, a bar mounted to have a longitudinal rectilinear movement parallel with the track, a second slide bar havin a parallel link connection with the first slide bar, devices on the second slide bar to engage the can bodies, the cans leaning toward said second bar, two parts on said bars adapted for engagement with each other when the second bar has moved on its parallel link connection away from thefirst bar to a predetermined extent, and means engaging the second bar for sliding both bars.

12. In apparatus for cleaning cans, conveying mechanism comprising, in combination, a track for the undersupport of cans in inverted inclined position, a guide bar parallel to said track for the lateral support of said inclined cans, said ide bar terminating substantially short o the end of said track whereby cans passing from the end of said laterally su porting guide bar fall in the direction 0 their inclination, a platform to receive the falling cans, and means obstructing the lower ends of said cans in falling, causing the cans to be reverted in upright position when received on said platform.

13. In apparatus for cleaning cans, conveying mechanism comprisingn combination, a trackfor the undersupport of cans in inverted inclined position, a 'de bar parallel to said track or the latera support of said inclined cans, said guide minating substantially short of the end of said track wherebv cans passing from the end of saidlaterally sup orting guide bar fall in the direction of t eir inclination, a'

cans, means platform to receive the fallin obstructing the lower'ends 0 said cans in bar ter-' fallin causing the cans to be reverted in 0 cans from said platform onto a conveyor.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

THEODORE L. VALERIUS. OLAF LARSEN. 

